Stadium foot bag and seat

ABSTRACT

A foot bag for stadium use which completely encloses the feet and lower legs of the user and extends up over the upper legs and lap of the user when the user is seated, with a belt being attached to the upper end of the foot bag for attachment around the waist of the user. The foot bag is used in conjunction with a stadium seat having a seat bottom and a seat back hinged together with bracing to limit the rearward movement of the seat back and form a handle for the seat. Dual seats and foot bags are also disclosed.

United States Patent Florence Du Priest 519 No. 13th St., Waco, Tex.76702 (21] Appl. No. 823,315

[22] Filed May 9, 1969 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 {72] Inventor [54]STADIUM FOOT BAG AND SEAT 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 297/184, 297/188 [51] lnt.Cl A47c 7/10 [50] Field of Search297/ 192, 182, 252, 378, 220, 135, 188; 248/3, 204

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,666 9/1937 Dietrich297/252 2,270,598 1/1942 Morgan 297/191 Primary ExaminerJames T. McCallAttorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin & Dougherty ABSTRACT: A foot bag forstadium use which completely encloses the feet and lower legs of theuser and extends up over the upper legs and lap of the user when theuser is seated, with a belt being attached to the upper end of the footbag for attachment around the waist of the user. The foot bag is used inconjunction with a stadium seat having a seat bottom and a seat backhinged together with bracing to limit the rearward movement of the seatback and form a handle for the seat. Dual seats and foot bags are alsodisclosed.

STADIUM FOOT BAG AND SEAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of theInvention This invention relates generally to improvements inaccessories for the use of spectators in stadiums, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved foot bag andan improved combination foot bag and stadium seat.

2. Description of the Prior Art In applicant's prior US. Pat. No.2,740,466 issued Apr. 3, 1956, there is disclosed a combination stadiumseat and foot bag which has been found to he highly useful and aconvenience to spectators in stadiums, particularly during inclementweather. It has been found, however, that the previous stadium seat issomewhat lacking in sturdiness; the foot bad does not provide themaximum protection for the spectator; and the utility of the combinationcan be increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present inventioncontemplates a flexible foot bag for stadium use which includes avertically extended hollow portion open at its upper end and adapted toreceive the feet and lower legs of the user. A panel extends upwardlyfrom the top of the hollow portion to cover the upper legs and lap ofthe user when the user is seated, and a belt is attached to the upperend of the panel for attachment about the waist of the user, such thatthe user may stand and sit down as desired without displacing the footbag.

In another aspect, the present invention contemplates a combinationstadium seat and foot bag wherein the seat comprises a substantiallyflat seat bottom having a pair of spaced rods extending rearwardly andupwardly from the rear end of the seat bottom, and a set backsubstantially corresponding in transverse dimensions with the seatbottom, having a U- shaped rod therein with the bight portion of theU-shaped rod protruding from the lower end of the seat back. Theopposite sides of the U-shaped rod are pivotally secured to the freeends of the rods protruding from the seat bottom, such that the bightportion of the U-shaped rod will engage the rear end of the seat bottomand limit the rearward movement of the seat back, as well as form ahandle for the seat when the seat back is folded down over the seatbottom. A flexible foot bag, including a hollow portion to receive thefeet and lower legs of the user is detachably secured to the front edgeof the seat bottom.

In a further aspect of this invention, a dual seat and foot bags arecontemplated wherein two seats are hinged in side by side relation inorder that the seats may be folded into a compact carrying position, anda separate foot bag is provided for detachable connection with the frontedge of each seat bottom for the maximum comfort of the users of theseats.

An object of the invention is to increase the comfort of spectators instadiums, and particularly in outdoor stadiums.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot bag for spectatorsin stadiums which will fully protect both the lower and upper legs ofthe spectator, and during use of which the spectator may stand or sit asdesired without dislodging the foot bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sturdily constructedstadium seat which may be safely used by substantially any size ofspectator.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a foot bag andcombination stadium seat and foot bag which may be economicallyconstructed, will have a long service life, and which has a maximumutility.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing illustrating the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acombination seat and foot bag construction in accordance with thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the seat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat in a folded condition ready fortransporting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foot bag detached from the seat.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofa combination dual seat and foot bag.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dual seat construction partiallyfolded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dual seat construction partiallyfolded.

FIG. 7 is a top view ofa portion of the dual seat structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the dual seat structure folded fortransportation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing indetail, and particularly FIG. 1, reference character 10 generallydesignates a stadium seat, and reference character 12 generallydesignates a foot bag attached to the seat 10, both of which areconstructed in accordance with this invention. The seat 10 comprises apadded seat bottom 14 having a front end 16 and a back end 18, and apadded seat ba ck 20 having a top or front end 22 and a bottom or rearend 24. Mating zipper connectors or fasteners 24 are provided along themating edges of the seat bottom 14 and seat back 10 for interconnectingthe seat bottom and back when the seat is folded to be transported, aswill be described further below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame for the seat bottom 14 comprises a pair ofrods 28 and a substantially rectangularly shaped board 30 secured to therods by suitable screws 32. The rear end 34 of each of the rods 28 isextended rearwardly from the seat bottom, as shown in FIG. 1, and thencurved upwardly and forwardly. The frame for the seat back 20 (FIG. 2)comprises a U-shaped rod 36 and a rectangularly shaped board 38 securednear the free ends of the rod 36 by suitable screws 40. The bightportion 42 of the U shaped rod 36 projects from the seat back 20, asshown in FIG. 1, and an intermediate portion of each leg of the U-shapedrod 36 is hinged by a bolt 44 to the end portion 34 of the respectiveseat bottom rod 28 at the respective side of the seat. The frames forthe seat bottom 14 and seat back 20 are suitably covered with paddingand covering material to provide the completed seat as illustrated inFIG. I.

It may also be noted in FIG. '1 that a gripper or fastening means 46,such as a strip ofvelcro is provided along the top, front end 16 of theseat bottom 14, for purposes to be described.

As will be apparent, the seat bottom 14 and seat back 20 are hingedtogether by bolts 44. For use, the seat back 20 is swung upwardly fromthe seat bottom 14 to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the spectatorcan sit on the seat bottom 14 and rest his back on the back portion 20.In this position of the seat, the bight portion 42 of the back frame rod36 will engage the rear end 18 of the seat bottom 14 and limit therearward swinging movement of the seat back 20 to adequately support theback of the user. When not in use, the seat back 20 is folded down overthe seat bottom 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3; whereupon azipper slide 48 is operated in a conventional manner to interconnect thezipper portions 26 of the seat bottom and back to retain the seat bottomand back in a superimposed relation. In this position of the seat 10,the bight portion 42 of the rod 36 forming a portion of the frame forthe seat back provides a convenient handle for transporting the seatfrom one place to another. It may also be noted in this connection thatthe transverse dimensions of the seat bottom 14 and the seat back 20 aresubstantially the same in order that the zipper portions 26 will be inmating relation when the seat is folded to the transporting position.

A pocket 50 is preferably provided on the bottom of the seat bottom 14,as shown in FIG. 3, or on the back of the seat back 20 to be readilyaccessible when the seat 10 is folded to a transporting position. Thepocket 50 may be provided with a zipper connection 52 at the upper, openend thereof, if desired.

The foot bag I2 is shown more clearly in FIG. 4 and basically comprisesa hollow portion 54 closed at its lower end 56 and open at its upper end58, along with a panel 60 extending upwardly from what would beconsidered the front edge of the open top 58 when the foot bag is inuse. The hollow portion 54 is split along its length to provide matingedges 62 and 64, each of which has a half-portion of a zipper 66 securedthereto arranged to be connected together by a zipper slide 68, suchthat the hollow portion 54 may be opened and closed as desired by theuser to facilitate access by the user.

A pocket 70 is provided on the inside surface of the hollow portion 54for the storage of miscellaneous articles by the user, such as raincoatsand rain hats. A'suitable gripper or fastener 72, such as a strip ofvelcro" is provided along one side of the hollow portion 54 adjacent theopen end 58 and opposite to the panel 60 for connector with the fastener46 provided on the front 16 of the seat bottom 14. Also, a belt 74 isattached in any desired manner, such as by loops 76, around the upperend 78 of the panel 60.

The foot bag 12 is formed of a flexible material, such that, when not inuse, the foot bag may be folded up and stored either in the pocket 50 ofthe seat 10 or between the seat bottom 14 and the seat back 20 when theseat is folded to a transporting position as shown in FIG. 3. Whenplaced in use, the

- gripper 72 on the foot bag 12 is attached to the gripper 46 on theseat bottom 14, such that the hollow portion 54 of the foot bag willdepend from the front of the seat 10 when the seat is placed on astadium seat (not shown) or the like. The user places his feet and lowerlegs in the hollow portion 54 of the foot bag either before sitting onthe seat bottom 14 or after being seated on the seat bottom. During thismaneuver, the zipper slide 68 may be lowered to facilitate access to thehollow portion 54, and then raised to interconnect the zipper portions66 and fullyenclose the feet and lower legs of the user.

While the user is standing in the hollow portion 54 of the seat bag 12,he lifts the panel 60 and connects the belt 74 around his waist, as bytyping the free ends of the belt. Thus, when the user assumes a sittingposition on the seat bottom 14, the panel 60 will fully cover the lapand upper legs of the user and protect the user from inclement weather.

The covering for the seat 10 and the material of the foot bag 54 areboth preferably waterproofed materials, such that the user will beprotected from a wet stadium seat and the user will be protected fromhis waist down from rain or snow.

A dual seat construction generally designated by reference character 100is illustrated in FIGS. through 8. This construction employs a pair ofseats a only slightly modified from the seat 10 previously described.The backs of the seats 100 are interconnected by a flexible panel 102extending from the adjacent sides 104 of the seat backs. Also, thezippers 26 employed in the previously described seat 10 for attaching aseat back to a seat bottom may or may not be employed, as desired. Inother words, the seat backs and bottoms of the modified seats 100 may besimply folded together as illustrated in FIG. 6. However, a zipper 106is secured around the lower edges of the front 16, outer side 108 andrear end 18 of each seat back 20 of the modified seats 10a forinterconnection of the dual seats in a transporting position asillustrated in FIG. 8 when the seats are completely folded together.

To put the modified seats 10a in a transporting position, the seat backs20 are folded down over the seat bottoms 14 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 6, and then the seats are folded together with the seat bottoms incontacting relation as illustrated in FIG. 8. The slide 110 is thenmoved around the mat ing portions of the zipper 106 to attach the seatstogether in a fairly secure manner. The user may then grip either of thebight portions 42 either of the seats 10a to carry the dual constructionfrom place to place. It will thus be apparent that the panel 102 is of alength corresponding to twice the thickness of both of the seat bottomsl4 and seat backs 20 to accommodate the placement of the seat bottoms incontacting relation. It may also be noted that the pockets 50 in thisform of the invention are placed on the backs of the seat backs 20,rather than on the bottoms of the seat bottoms as previously describedin connection with the seat structure 10.

A foot bag,1l2 is attached to the gripper 46 of each of the modifiedseats 10a and used in the same manner as previously described, such thatthe occupants of both of the seats 10a may be adequately protected frominclement weather.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention willincrease the comfort of spectators in stadiums and the like, andparticularly in outdoor stadiums. The foot bag will fully protect boththe lower and upper legs of a spectator and the spectator is free to sitor stand as described and the foot bag will stay in position at alltimes. The seat of this invention is sturdily constructed and may beused by a spectator of almost any size. It will also be apparent thatthe present foot bag and combination stadium seat and foot bag may beeconomically constructed.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts orelements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in thedrawing without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A flexible foot bag for stadium use, comprising:

a vertically extending hollow portion to receive the feet and lower legsof the user and having an open top;

a panel extending upwardly from a portion of the top of the hollowportion to cover the upper legs and lap of the user when the user isseated; and

a belt attached to the upper end of the panel for attachment about thewaist of the user.

2. A foot bag as defined in claim 1 characterized further to include apocket on the inside surface of the hollow portion.

3. A foot bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow portion is splitalong its length forming separable mating edges along the split tofacilitate access to the hollow portion, and characterized further toinclude fasteners along said mating edges, whereby the hollow portionmay be placed in enclosing relation around the feet and lower legs ofthe user.

4. A foot bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the foot bag is formed of awaterproof material.

5. A portable combination stadium seat and foot bag, comprising:

a substantially flat seat bottom portion having a front end and a rearend and a pair of spaced rods extending rearwardly and upwardly from therear end of the seat bottom;

a seat back portion substantially corresponding in transverse dimensionswith the seat bottom portion having an upper end and a lower end and aU-shaped rod therein pivotally secured to the free ends of the said pairof rods for hingedly attaching the seat back to the seat bottom, andwith the bight portion of the U-shaped rod protruding from the lower endof the seat back between said spaced rods in a position to engage therear end of the seat bottom when the seat back is extended atsubstantially a right angle to the seat bottom and forming a handle forthe seat when the seat back is superimposed on the seat bottom;

a flexible foot bag including a hollow portion to receive the feet andlower legs of the user and having one open end;

means for detachably securing a portion of the open end of the foot bagto the front end of the seat bottom;

a panel extending from a portion of the open end of the hollow portionof the foot bag opposite said attaching means to cover the upper legsand lap of a user seated on the seat bottom; and

a belt attached to the free end of said panel for attachment about thewaist of the user.

1. A flexible foot bag for stadium use, comprising: a verticallyextending hollow portion to receive the feet and lower legs of the userand having an open top; a panel extending upwardly from a portion of thetop of the hollow portion to cover the upper legs and lap of the userwhen the user is seated; and a belt attached to the upper end of thepanel for attachment about the waist of the user.
 2. A foot bag asdefined in claim 1 characterized further to include a pocket on theinside surface of the hollow portion.
 3. A foot bag as defined in claim1 wherein the hollow portion is split along its length forming separablemating edges along the split to facilitate access to the hollow portion,and characterized further to include fasteners along said mating edges,whereby the hollow portion may be placed in enclosing relation aroundthe feet and lower legs of the user.
 4. A foot bag as defined in claim 1wherein the foot bag is formed of a waterproof material.
 5. A portablecombination stadium seat and foot bag, comprising: a substantially flatseat bottom portion having a front end and a rear end and a pair ofspaced rods extending rearwardly and upwardly from the rear end of theseat bottom; a seat back portion substantialLy corresponding intransverse dimensions with the seat bottom portion having an upper endand a lower end and a U-shaped rod therein pivotally secured to the freeends of the said pair of rods for hingedly attaching the seat back tothe seat bottom, and with the bight portion of the U-shaped rodprotruding from the lower end of the seat back between said spaced rodsin a position to engage the rear end of the seat bottom when the seatback is extended at substantially a right angle to the seat bottom andforming a handle for the seat when the seat back is superimposed on theseat bottom; a flexible foot bag including a hollow portion to receivethe feet and lower legs of the user and having one open end; means fordetachably securing a portion of the open end of the foot bag to thefront end of the seat bottom; a panel extending from a portion of theopen end of the hollow portion of the foot bag opposite said attachingmeans to cover the upper legs and lap of a user seated on the seatbottom; and a belt attached to the free end of said panel for attachmentabout the waist of the user.